Another Metrowest question (Jacksonville, Orlando, Pine Hills: apartment complex, to rent, condos)

[Leesa0926]

So I am relocating from Jacksonville to Orlando for work. I will be working near Pine Hills at Colonial and Kirkman (I know...)

We plan to rent for 1 year or so before eventually maybe buying (have to sell the house in Jax, plus want to get a feel for the areas). I know where I would want to live and OWN a home is not where I would be willing to rent for a year.

I keep hearing mixed reviews about MetroWest. The prices and pictures look beautiful and the drive to work would be great but what is the catch? Are there good areas in Metro West, if so what communities should we look at?

Our budget is about 1200-1300 (I would like 2 bedroom) just me and hubby for now. Nothing fancy but we are looking for something that feels more like a home not a building (although I know that may not be avoided) think townhouse, single story, etc. Something quiet not too busy like in downtown etc. Feel ideally I would like something more in Lake Mary but again will be pickier when we buy.

I have a bunch of addresses to look at this week from Lake Mary through Kissimee. We are in a tight timeline and need to find something within the next month. Just feel overwhelmed with all of the areas and want to make the best decision.

Any suggestions or thoughts. I started this asking specifically about Metro West which I plan to check out this week but any other area/suggestions are welcome. Ocoee and Winter Garden seem nice as well. I keep hearing Apopka but hear about good and bad areas...

Thanks! Just a very big overwhelming decision!

[clearlevel]

MetroWest is a master-planned community that used to be really fancy, and still looks nice in some ways, but has become more of an apartment complex place. It consists of millionaire row, regular houses, lots of apartments and condos and a bunch of offices.

The west side of Hiawassee has a nice community, but it's completely gated and has really large upscaled housing. Most of MetroWest consists one of the largest apartment complex places in all of Orlando. Valencia College is right there and also there's a Walmart, Winn-Dixie and Publix and some restaurants and office space. It's not exactly fancy when it comes to its shopping amenity. The apartment complexes house students from Valencia and lots of families who live in apartments, so that's basically what it is. They're not luxury apartment complexes, so if that's what you're thinking, that's not what it is. It's mainly, basic apartments with people from all walks of life there.

I don't know what you're looking for. If you wanted more affordable renting places like for houses or townhomes, you'd have to look away from that area, because the houses/renting can be expensive.

Or you could try renting a home and most of them seem to be in the range of $1,500 to $3,000 a month in the Metro West/Dr. Phillips area. You may be able to get a better deal if someone happens to be renting for really cheap. It happens sometimes.

I would also recommend maybe renting a house in Clermont. There are some going for $1,200 and up there. It could be anywhere really. When you're renting, you'll usually be able to get a nicer house than you normally would if you were buying.

[brinkofsunshine]

There's a little condo community in Dr. Phillips called The Sanctuary that has a 2/2 going for $1300. The complex looks way more like townhouses than your normal apartment community. It'd still be an easy drive to work.

[Leesa0926]

Thanks! I am going to look in Cleremont as well. My list of places is so large it's crazy (Lake Mary, Waterford, Winter Garden, etc. etc.) Going to have to narrow down soon. I can spend more just felt $1200-$1200 on an apartment should be good for now.

The reason I was curious of Metro West is because it is so close but then I hear all the bad and it makes me nervous so I wasn't sure. See from looking the prices seemed less expensive for what you get than other areas or so I thought.

Thanks!

[clearlevel]

Originally Posted by Leesa0926

Thanks! I am going to look in Cleremont as well. My list of places is so large it's crazy (Lake Mary, Waterford, Winter Garden, etc. etc.) Going to have to narrow down soon. I can spend more just felt $1200-$1200 on an apartment should be good for now.

The reason I was curious of Metro West is because it is so close but then I hear all the bad and it makes me nervous so I wasn't sure. See from looking the prices seemed less expensive for what you get than other areas or so I thought.

Thanks!

Clermont is right on highway 50 and it's so close. It's also very suburban and lots of nice houses and huge shopping centers and restaurants.

[Leesa0926]

Thanks! I had the Sanctuary area on my list to check out this week!